TestZen · Einbürgerungstest · Practice

263. In Germany, juveniles from the age of 14 are criminally responsible. This means: Juveniles who are 14 years old and older and violate criminal laws …

Official German wording

In Deutschland sind Jugendliche ab 14 Jahren strafmündig. Das bedeutet: Jugendliche, die 14 Jahre und älter sind und gegen Strafgesetze verstoßen, …

  1. werden bestraft.
  2. werden wie Erwachsene behandelt.
  3. teilen die Strafe mit ihren Eltern.
  4. werden nicht bestraft.

Answer options

  1. are punished.
  2. are treated like adults.
  3. share the punishment with their parents.
  4. are not punished.

Correct answer

are punished.

Explanation

In Germany, criminal responsibility begins at 14; under 14, persons are deemed without culpability under § 19 of the Criminal Code (StGB). For those aged 14–17, the Youth Courts Act (JGG) applies, prioritizing education and rehabilitation (§§ 2, 9 ff., 13, 17 JGG) and distinguishing educational measures, disciplinary measures, and youth imprisonment. Criminal liability also requires the necessary moral and cognitive maturity under § 3 JGG; young adults (18–20) may likewise be sentenced under juvenile law pursuant to § 105 JGG. This framework operationalizes the Basic Law’s guarantees of human dignity (Art. 1), the guilt principle, and the social state principle (Art. 20) through proportionate, pedagogically oriented sanctions.

Official sources

The German questions come from the original BAMF catalog for the Einbürgerungstest and Leben in Deutschland. Translations and explanations are study aids; verify legal details in the official sources.